Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Pass a True Dog Lover's Quiz?

Becky

Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Prove you're a real canine companion by acing this quiz!

Dogs have been man's best friends for thousands of years, and experts widely agree they are the first domesticated animals. We humans have bred Fido and his pals to enhance traits that we consider necessary, desirable and/or cute. Still, even after all these years, it's not always easy to understand just why Rover does what he does. After all, he can't really talk... or can he?

Dogs wag their tails, ride in the car with their heads out the window and their ears flapping in the wind, walk in circles before lying down and roll in stinky stuff. But why do they do these things? If you are thinking happiness, joy and instinct, you're right, and you just might master this quiz. But, as a canine expert, you also understand that Spot's behavior may have more than one meaning. Still, if you're a real dog lover, you'll be able to decipher the messages in this quiz. From behaviors that are confusing and frustrating to behaviors that are adorable and endearing, Cujo and his compadres' antics make life interesting.

Let's get started and see if you can legitimately call yourself a canine whisperer.

How do dogs regulate their own body temperature?

Sleeping

Barking

Panting

Growling

Dogs regulate their own body temperature by panting. They sweat through the pads of their feet, but the majority of Fido's body heat escapes through his mouth as he pants.

You left Rover alone when you went to the store and returned to find he chewed up your favorite shoes. Why did he do this?

Hunger

Sleepiness

Happiness

Separation anxiety

Chances are Rover didn't chomp on your shoes because he was hungry. Although he may have been bored, he was most likely suffering from separation anxiety.

What might your canine do to assert dominance over you?

Eat

Sleep

Whine

Jump on you

Your dog might jump on you as a way to assert dominance. To make sure he knows who's boss, nip this behavior in the bud when he's a pup.

A dog who is in pain might do which of the following?

Bite

Sleep

Eat

Grow

Be careful, a dog who is in pain might bite. Even if you've known the dog forever, make sure you approach an injured dog with care.

Your puppy chews on absolutely everything! Why?

Teething

Hungry

Sleepy

Awake

Your puppy is probably teething. Just like human babies, our puppy friends chew to relieve the discomfort of teething.

Barking is one way dogs do what?

Communicate

Eat

Sleep

Dream

Dogs communicate in many ways, including barking. It may seem like he does it for no reason, but it can be controlled.

True or False? Most experts agree that dogs feel empathy.

True

False

This is true. A 2012 study determined that most dogs appear to feel empathy.

Your dog ate a bee and got stung. What might she do?

Pant

Eat

Sleep

Play

A dog who is in pain might pant. In addition to helping dogs release excess body heat, panting is a sign of pain and/or nervousness.

Which of the following might your dog do if she is stressed?

Sleep

Eat

Sing

Yawn

Most dogs yawn excessively. Sure, she might be tired, but pay attention next time she is in an unfamiliar setting.

What might you do to lessen your dog's separation anxiety?

Exercise

Play

Both A and B

Neither A or B

If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, try to wear her out before you leave the house. She just might sleep the entire time you're gone.

What might your dog do if he senses danger?

Run

Sleep

Bark

Eat

If your dog runs when he senses danger, you're in trouble. Most dogs will bark.

Cujo really loves you. What might he do to demonstrate his amour?

Sleep

Eat

Leave

Lick

Yay! Doggie kisses. Many dogs will lick people they like.

Your dog cowers when another dog approaches. What is she displaying.

Hunger

Fatigue

Submission

Happiness

Your dog is likely showing the other dog she is submissive. The other dog may, in turn, be demonstrating dominant behavior.

The better to hear you. What does your dog do to show you he's listening?

Sleep

Eat

Leave

Head tilt

Although there may be other reasons for head tilting, many experts believe that Fido tilts his head so he can hear you better. Those ears are made for listening!

What do many dogs do after a bath?

Zoomies

Sleep

Eat

Bark

Baths feel weird to a dog. He might run around like a dog possessed to get that wet feeling to go away.

Which of the following is typically a behavior most dog owners don't appreciate?

Begging

Eating

Sleeping

Listening

Sure, it might be cute, but begging can be pretty annoying, too. Dogs are smart and will learn relatively quickly what to do to earn that tasty morsel of people food.

Many tall dogs do what to snag your freshly-baked cake?

Sleep

Eat

Yawn

Counter surf

Tall dogs, and some shorties, will counter surf to explore what might be worth working for. Big dog owners learn quickly to keep things out of reach.

What stereotypical object is nearly impossible for your dog to pass up?

Bicycle

Car

Truck

Fire hydrant

Most dogs can't pass up a fire hydrant. But, contrary to popular belief, dogs aren't drawn to them because of what they are, but rather because they are the perfect height upon which to relieve themselves.

What do dogs do to greet each other?

Sniff

Eat

Yawn

Sleep

Most dogs sniff each other as a way of saying "hi." Each dog has his/her own unique smell.

What might your dog do to show his emotions?

Eat

Sleep

Lie down

Howl

Dogs howl to show their emotions. They might be distressed, anxious or lonely.

What might your puppy do if he gets too excited?

Snort

Eat

Piddle

Yawn

Many puppies pee a bit when they get really excited. No worries, this behavior should stop as his bladder matures.

Which of the following treats does your dog instinctually love?

Bones

Eggplant

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Dogs are carnivores, and they love bones. Make sure the bones you give him are safe for him to chew.

What do many dogs do before lying down?

Jump

Eat

Yawn

Circle

It's normal for a dog to circle before lying down. This instinctual behavior used to be a way for Fido's ancestors to flatten the grass and clear a spot perfect for sleeping.

Your dog is happy. What does she do with her tail?

Wag

Droop

Hide

Eat

A happy dog is a tail wagger. Scold her and she'll put that tail between her legs. A dog's tail helps her express herself.

A dog with food aggression issues might do what?

Growl

Sleep

Yawn

Leave

A dog with food aggression issues might growl at anyone close to his food. It's a good idea to train this behavior out of your dog ASAP.

What instinctive behavior once helped dogs create dens?

Digging

Eating

Sleeping

Growling

Dogs once dug in the ground to create a den. Accommodate your dog's digging instinct if you can with a sand box or other approved digging spot.

What do most dogs do to communicate?

Bark

Whine

Howl

All of the above

Barking, whining and howling are all communication behaviors. Your dog can also communicate via body language.

Your dog stands over another dog at the dog park. What is he expressing?

Dominance

Hunger

Sleepiness

Joy

Standing over another dog is a sign of dominance. Many dogs will engage in this behavior when they first meet.

Why do some dogs roll around in smelly stuff?

Fatigue

Hunger

Stress

Camouflage

Rolling around in smelly stuff is an instinctive camouflage behavior. Long ago, dogs may have had a reason to... well, not smell like a dog.

A dog might do which of the following if he is afraid or in pain?

Sleep

Eat

Whine

Lie down

Dogs often whine when they are afraid or in pain. However, Rover might just want attention, too.

Leash pulling might be a sign of what?

Dominance

Hunger

Fatigue

Boredom

A dog who pulls is displaying dominance by leading you. Most experts insist that you need to nip this behavior in the bud ASAP.

Kicking up grass after doing his business is Rover's way of doing what?

Marking

Playing

Growling

Wagging

Kicking up grass after doing his business is Rover's way of marking his territory. Dogs have scent glands in their paws.

What innate drive makes your dog want to chase squirrels?

Prey

Digging

Hearing

Talking

Your dog loves to chase small animals because they were once dinner. Some dogs have a higher prey drive than others.

Dogs may display what confusing behavior when playing?

Biting

Growling

Both A and B

Neither A or B

Dogs may growl and bite when playing, especially with each other. This is normal, but can be confusing for we humans.

True or False: Dogs are sensitive to the Earth's magnetic field.

True

False

This is true. This magnetic sensitivity is called magnetoreception .

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